Marangon, from Sydney, finished the 1.9km swim, 90.1km ride and 21.1km run in 4.31.55 – seven minutes ahead of Molloy, who recorded a time of 4.38.52.

Sunday’s effort was one of the most outstanding performances produced by Molloy during her six years at the Maitland club and there was nothing but praise from her fellow club members competing in the same event.

“She (Molloy) has one gear and that is fast,” MTC member and Port Macquarie Half Ironman racer Craig Shafer said.

“She just had an awesome race.”

Molloy had recently participated in the Gold Coast Marathon and the training paid off as she staved off a top women’s field to finish on the podium.

Molloy, who competed at Hawaii in 2007, completed the run leg in 1.32.42 , the second fastest time recorded by the women behind only second-placed Nicole Ward (1.32.17).

Also in the women’s event Emma Brennan completed her first half triathlon in a time of 6.51.23.

In the men’s race Tim Berkel (4.00.38) was the winner while Shafer was the pick of the Maitland competitors.

Shafer, who came out of the water in 18th spot, finished 131st overall but achieved his goal of a sub-five hour time to finish in 4.54.15.

“I only felt 70 per cent on the day and I was only going to race at 70 per cent but I came out at the pointy end of the swim and it was the same on the bike,” he said.

“I went with the pace of the race and made good time... it was a good day to go under five hours.”

Lorn’s Adam Cooper finished in 5.06.19 in one of his best races. Up to 20 MTC members raced on Sunday.